Has tinnitus caused relationship problems or made it hard to do daily tasks?

Loud noises and aging are common causes of tinnitus. A health problem, such as thyroid imbalance or high blood pressure, can also cause it. So can earwax, if it blocks the ear canal. Some medications may also trigger tinnitus. Sometimes, there is no clear cause.

When you meet with your doctor, be ready to answer questions like these:

Have you had any long-term exposure to loud noises, including at work?

Have you been exposed to an extremely loud noise, such as an explosion?